Venezuelan Media Mogul Offloads Fisher Island Condo Amid Legal Troubles

A Venezuelan media mogul involved in a significant money laundering case has divested a luxurious condominium on Fisher Island. This sale is tied to ongoing legal proceedings in an anti-terrorism lawsuit, highlighting the intersection of real estate and court battles.

Details of the Sale

• Property: 9,800-square-foot condo, Unit 7043 at Palazzo Del Sol
• Sale Price: $18.4 million (approximately $1,900 per square foot)
• Seller: Planet 2 Reaching, associated with Raúl Gorrín, owner of Globovision
• Buyer: 7043 Fisher Island LLC, managed by Brandon Shiller of Hillpark Capital

This transaction marks a significant shift for both the seller and the buyer, with the condo having been listed at various prices over the years.

Historical Context

The condo has been on and off the market since 2017, right after Planet 2 Reaching bought it for $15.5 million. The original listing price in 2017 was $17.9 million. In a recent twist, the unit was listed for $30 million, reaching an ambitious asking price of almost $3,200 per square foot.

Legal Proceedings Affecting the Sale

The sale comes in the wake of a 2024 judgment in an anti-terrorism case initiated by Antonio Caballero. Caballero’s lawsuit, filed in the Florida Southern District Court in 2018, targets various entities including FARC and the National Liberation Army. He claims these organizations were involved in the kidnapping and murder of his father, a former UN ambassador who opposed the drug trade.

• Initial Claims: Caballero sought to link Gorrín to the defendants in this case, attempting to seize this Fisher Island unit and others.
• Charges Against Gorrín: U.S. authorities have accused Gorrín of bribing Venezuelan officials and participating in a billion-dollar money laundering scheme connected to Venezuela’s state-owned energy company.

Despite his legal woes, Gorrín has challenged these claims, but this led to a judge blocking the sale until further legal resolution was achieved.

Financial Complications

Recent Financial Moves:

• The condominium association at Palazzo Del Sol initiated a foreclosure lawsuit against Planet 2 Reaching in 2022, alleging unpaid assessments totaling $581,000.
• A scheduled foreclosure sale in April was canceled as the ownership dispute unfolded.

A Look at Recent Fisher Island Sales

Fisher Island continues to attract high-profile transactions, diverse in both buyer profiles and property prices:

• April: Guilherme Federico sold a condo for $21 million to a trust managed by developer Joseph P. Faro.
• May: Film producer John Davis acquired a unit for $16.2 million.

Conclusion

The sale of Raúl Gorrín’s condominium on Fisher Island not only illustrates the complexities of the real estate market but also reflects the ongoing legal issues surrounding high-net-worth individuals in the U.S. and abroad. For those interested in luxury real estate, Fisher Island remains a pivotal location, attracting both potential buyers and legal entanglements.

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